Zante holiday hotspot - Alykanas beach

Liz Waugh: April 2011

Alykanas is one of Zante's most popular Greek beach holiday resorts and located about 18km north-west of Zakynthos Town. It is very close to the equally popular beach resort of Alykes and it's an easy stroll from one resort to the other, with no hills along the road and it's only about 10 minutes along the beach.

Alykanas beach is basically a continuation of Alykes beach, long deep and flat and both share the same soft sand and clear, shallow water.

There are sun beds laid out near the beach tavernas but long stretches of the beach are empty. There is no natural shade so, without an beach umbrella, it can be very exposed.

Recently the local watersports operators moved to Alykanas from Alykes and there is now a pretty big range of watersports on offer such as pedaloes, paragliding, banana boats and so on.Alykanas is a relatively quiet resort, with a relaxed atmosphere although it can get livelier when the holiday season is at its peak and the tourist crowds arrive in force. There is not a lot to do in Alykanas but sunbathe on the beach, eat in the tavernas and drink in the bars.

There are boat trips to Smugglers Cove, some fishing boat excursions and turtle watching trips to the island of Marathonisi in Laganas Bay.

Alykanas has plenty of shops and several bars and tavernas. Car parking is easy along the beach but not recommended in the centre of the resort. As a sop to tourists, the village taxis have been supplemented with horse-drawn carriages.

A tourist train 'Trainaki' runs tours between Alykes and Alykanas passing through hill villages on the way with a visit to a taverna, folk museum and small church.

Alykanas has grown considerably along with its popularity as a beach holiday resort but on the outskirts of the modern resort is the original old village of Alykanas, now called Old Alykanas.

This village has retained its traditional Greek character and there are a handful of tavernas for those who prefer a quiet, more atmospheric Greek setting when dining out.